June 04, 2007	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 18, 1428

DADU, June 3: The committee looking into the cause of death of five new-born babies in a span of 24 hours in the Civil Hospital Dadu, has finalised its report.

The committee members visited children, emergency and neonatal care units and checked records, met the Civil Surgeon, Ghous Ali Shah and recoded statements of the doctors.

The team constituted by the DEO Health included, Dr Syed Sikandar Ali Shah, Dr Javed Dawach and accountant of the EDO health office, Mohammad Hussain Mangi.

A member of the investigation team Dr Syed Sikandar Ali Shah, said that there was shortage of doctors which was affecting the patients, while hospital and its wards were also lacking proper system sanitation.

Another member, Mohammad Hussain Mangi, said it was observed that administration of the hospital was not providing essentials medicines during emergency, and patients were purchasing medicines from private stores.

Earlier, a paediatrician of the Civil Hospital, Dr Mohammad Ismail Lashari, told the team that there was no proper system at neonatal care unit in the hospital, which also lacks sufficient number of technical staff.

He said that the four new-born babies died, as their birth was premature and they were bought in serious condition to hospital.

He said that doctors had provided all medical care to the patients.

The DG Health Services Sindh has constituted an inquiry team which would visit Dadu on Monday.

Meanwhile, Citizens Action Committee announced to observe token hunger strike on Monday against doctors of the Civil Hospital.